Guidelines for diet-induced models of cardiometabolic syndrome

Abstract

Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) encompasses a cluster of metabolic abnormalities, including obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, that collectively increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Animal models are widely used to study CMS, with diet-induced models being the most physiologically relevant. A lack of reporting standards and variability in dietary composition, feeding duration, and macronutrient content across studies hinder reproducibility assessment and translational impact evaluation. We provide standardized guidelines for the consideration, preparation, and use of diets in experimental models of CMS. Advantages and limitations of different diet-induced models are compared with genetic and pharmacological approaches, emphasizing replicability to human metabolic dysregulation. Key components include macronutrient composition, fat source selection, feeding duration, strain susceptibility, and sex differences. In addition, we outline husbandry practices, including environmental factors, bedding material, and enrichment conditions, which can affect metabolic outcomes. Standardization is essential for enhancing experimental reproducibility and facilitating cross-study comparisons. These guidelines serve as a framework for researchers to optimize dietary interventions in CMS models, improving the predictive value of preclinical findings for translational applications to aid in the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.